Known as the First Navy Jack, former Navy Secretary Gordon England authorized it in 2002 as the Navy's official jack for the Global War on Terrorism. Sailors and SEALs have since often worn the symbol as a patch on their left shoulder when deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last November, Carl Higbie, a former Navy SEAL, reported for the Daily Caller that SEAL commanders had told their units to stop wearing the Navy Jack patches because it looked similar to the flag that Tea Party leaders have adopted.

Navy officials denied the story to multiple news outlets and sailors have continued to wear the patch since.